Signals
Melbourne
Merritt Island
Climate
83 · Top 10%
vs83 · Top 10%
Physical resilience
19 · Bottom 12%
vs19 · Bottom 12%
Housing affordability
61 · Bottom 22%
vs85 · Top 43%
Schools
52 · Top 49%
vs77 · Top 18%
Access
98 · Top 19%
vs95 · Top 34%
Economic stability
41 · Bottom 19%
vs43 · Bottom 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Melbourne | Merritt Island | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,576 | 34,992 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $66,991 | $94,012 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,249 | $56,114 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,959/sq mi | 2,062/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $306,400 | $402,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,525 | $1,441 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.7% | 80.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.7% | 41.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 7.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 90°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 52°F | 52°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 50.8" | 50.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 1 mi | 14 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.5 min | 26.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.5 | 50.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 16 | 4 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.12 | 15.21 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 55.0% | 65.4% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 56.6% | 68.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 44.3% | 38.7% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Melbourne
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Merritt Island
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Melbourne
58
Your Score
53
Area Score
Merritt Island
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Melbourne, FL · Merritt Island, FL · How this is calculated: methodology